I am concerned about you

"I have observed you and what is being done to you in Egypt;
so I have decided to lead you up out of your affliction in Egypt into the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Girgashites, the Hivites and the Jebusites, a land flowing with milk and honey."  (Exodus 3: 16 - 17)

The Lord remembers His covenant.  Deliverance and salvation come from the Lord.

What does it take today to travel from Egypt to the land flowing with milk and honey?  The land flowing with milk and honey is the kingdom of God.  It is the Church, where the family of God lives and makes a home.  The milk and honey are the word of God and the Sacraments of the Church.  This land is the new creation where entrance is gained through Baptism.  The milk and honey nourish the life of God inside the citizens of the kingdom.  Everyone is welcomed in this kingdom.  But people may disqualify themselves through rejection of Jesus.

I will be with you

"But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”
God answered: I will be with you; and this will be your sign that I have sent you. When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will serve God at this mountain."  (Exodus 3: 11 - 12)

If God is with you, then it is accomplished.

"Do not fear: I am with you;
do not be anxious: I am your God.
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my victorious right hand."  (Isaiah 41: 10)

Awareness of the presence of God in you, with you and around you drives our fear, worry and doubt.  If this is true and it is, we must do everything to cultivate this awareness.  One of the ways to cultivate this constant awareness of the presence of God is Centering Prayer.

Below are two interesting comments on the promise of God to be with His elect in Exodus 3: 11 - 12:

"And he said, certainly I will be with theeTo encourage and strengthen him; to protect, defend, and preserve him, and to succeed and prosper him; to give him credit and respect with the people of Israel, and influence over Pharaoh to prevail upon him at length to let Israel go:"  Ex 3: 12 (John Gills Exposition)
" God answers this objection, v. 12. 1. He promises him his presence: Certainly I will be with thee, and that is enough. Note, Those that are weak in themselves may yet do wonders, being strong in the Lord and in the power of his might; and those that are most diffident of themselves may be most confident in God. God’s presence puts an honour upon the worthless, wisdom and strength into the weak and foolish, makes the greatest difficulties dwindle to nothing, and is enough to answer all objections."   Ex 3: 12 (Matthew Henry Commentary)

Turn to God in your need

"But here I am miserable and in pain;
let your saving help protect me, God,
That I may praise God’s name in song
and glorify it with thanksgiving.
That will please the LORD more than oxen,
more than bulls with horns and hooves:
“See, you lowly ones, and be glad;
you who seek God, take heart!s
For the LORD hears the poor,
and does not spurn those in bondage."  (Psalm 69 29 -34)

Turn to God in your need and you will live.  My God, as I turn to you today in my need, I come to realize again that my most profound need is not more money, more health, more house, more food, more toys, more job, more family.  My greatest need is to trust in your presence in me and with me.  Let the constant awareness of your presence drive out fear, worry and doubt.  I want to trust strongly your word and your promises.  Fill my heart and my lips always with constant praise and thanksgiving to you, O Lord my God.

"Offer praise as your sacrifice to God;
fulfill your vows to the Most High.
Then call on me on the day of distress;
I will rescue you, and you shall honor me.”  (Psalm 50: 14 - 15)

"Those who offer praise as a sacrifice honor me;
I will let him whose way is steadfast
look upon the salvation of God.”  (Psalm 50: 23)

A cup of cold water

"And whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink because he is a disciple—amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward.”  (Matthew 10: 42)

Lord Jesus, as I go about my work knocking on doors, I have been offered "a cup of cold water" several times.  I knew the kindness is from you.  I have also experienced many of your "little ones" knocking on my door trying to evangelize me.  Most often than not, I have forgotten to offer a cup of cold water to your missionaries.  Your words this morning have convicted me. I promise that I will from today offer "a cup of cold water" to your missionaries who come to share your word with me.

"Let some water be brought, that you may bathe your feet, and then rest under the tree.
Now that you have come to your servant, let me bring you a little food, that you may refresh yourselves; and afterward you may go on your way.” “Very well,” they replied, “do as you have said.”  (Genesis 18: 4 - 5)

With the above words, Abraham entertained angels.  God rewards hospitality.

Feeding on Jesus

"Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me."  (John 6: 57)

Dear Jesus, by your grace, I feed on you always.  Let me live because of you, according to your word.  You are the Evergreen Cypress Tree.  Because of you, I live.  Because of you, I come to your table constantly for nourishment.  Thank you Jesus.  I am what I am because of you.

Bearing insult for the name of Christ

"If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you."  (1 Peter 4: 14)

"Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you [falsely] because of me.
*Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.h Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you."  (Matthew 5:  11 - 12)

Habit & the 3rd law of motion

Habit acts as the 3rd law of motion! Grace breaks the force of habit.

Where is your Wolfland?

Matthew 10:16 16 
“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves."

Jeremiah 1:5-8 5 
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,and before you were born I consecrated you;I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”6 Then I said, “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.” 7 But the Lord said to me,“Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’;for to all to whom I send you, you shall go,and whatever I command you, you shall speak.8 Do not be afraid of them,for I am with you to deliver you,declares the Lord.”

Jeremiah 1:17-19 17 
"But you, dress yourself for work; arise, and say to them everything that I command you. Do not be dismayed by them, lest I dismay you before them.18 And I, behold, I make you this day a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls, against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the people of the land. 19 They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, declares the Lord, to deliver you.”

Where is your Wolfland? Your Wolfland is your primary Missionland. Where do you face the most challenge in your life? Family, Finances, Job, Health, Tools, Food and Future?

Seekfirst.blogspot.com

You planned evil but God.....

"Come closer to me,” Joseph told his brothers. When they had done so, he said: “I am your brother Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt.
But now do not be distressed, and do not be angry with yourselves for having sold me here. It was really for the sake of saving lives that God sent me here ahead of you."

The marvels of divine providence is beyond compare.  God sees His work from beginning to the end.  But man sees only the appearances.  Trust completely in God's providence.

"Divine providence consists of the dispositions by which God guides all his creatures with wisdom and love to their ultimate end."  (Catechism of the Catholic Church #321)

"Then he called down a famine on the land,
destroyed the grain that sustained them.
He had sent a man ahead of them,
Joseph, sold as a slave.
They shackled his feet with chains;
collared his neck in iron,
Till his prediction came to pass,
and the word of the LORD proved him true."  (Psalm 105: 16 - 19)

"Christ invites us to filial trust in the providence of our heavenly Father (cf. Mt 6:26-34), and St. Peter the apostle repeats: "Cast all your anxieties on him, for he cares about you" (I Pt 5:7; cf. Ps 55:23). (Catechism of the Catholic Church #322)

God is in full control

"The LORD foils the plan of nations,
frustrates the designs of peoples.
But the plan of the LORD stands forever,
the designs of his heart through all generations"  (Psalm 33: 10 - 11)

Trust in God at all times.  His eternal purpose will always be accomplished come what may.

"But I trust in you, LORD;
I say, “You are my God.”
My destiny is in your hands;"  (Psalm 31: 15 - 16)

What a delightful thought that my destiny is in the hands of a God whose all powerful and loving providence directs everything.  I fell completely safe.

Please stop fighting

"The LORD will fight for you; you have only to keep still.” (Exodus 14: 14)

What and where are you fighting today? Where do you need the Lord to fight for you?  Where do you need to surrender, to trust and obey?  Health, Family, Finances, Job, Tools and Property, Food and Future?

"I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me." (Philippians 4: 13)

Seekfirst.blogspot.com

Your faith has saved you

"She said to herself, “If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured.”
Jesus turned around and saw her, and said, “Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.” And from that hour the woman was cured." (Matthew 9: 21 - 22)

In the Eucharist, we touch not just the cloak of Jesus, we touch Jesus substantially in His flesh, blood, soul and divinity.  This is the faith of the Church.  I believe it.  Why then are some not healed or transformed by this experience?  The answer is in Matthew 9: 22:  “Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.” And from that hour the woman was cured." Faith!

The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines Faith in #166 thus:

"166 Faith is a personal act - the free response of the human person to the initiative of God who reveals himself. But faith is not an isolated act. No one can believe alone, just as no one can live alone. You have not given yourself faith as you have not given yourself life. The believer has received faith from others and should hand it on to others. Our love for Jesus and for our neighbor impels us to speak to others about our faith. Each believer is thus a link in the great chain of believers. I cannot believe without being carried by the faith of others, and by my faith I help support others in the faith."  (CCC #166)

Our woman with the issue of blood heard about Jesus from someone whom she trusted.  She believed what she heard.  She then acted out her faith in seeking Jesus.  Her faith brought her healing.  Now that she is healed, her personal witness to what happened to her will spread faith in the name of Jesus.

Peace of Christ be with you

"And let the peace of Christ control your hearts; Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly."  (Colossians 3: 15, 16)

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid"  (John 14: 27)

In you O Lord, I have found my peace!

O Prince of Peace, you are my peace.  Let me be enveloped completely by your peace.  You promise us the peace which the world cannot understand.  Let your peace cover my family, health, finances, job, tools, food and future.  Amen

A tale of two voices

"My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me."  (John 10: 27)

"Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects me. And whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.” (Luke 10: 16)

What return shall I make to the Lord for all that He has done for me?  This day, O Lord, I will listen to your voice.  I will trust you.  I will do whatever you tell me.  So help me God.

"The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent."  (Exodus 14: 14)

What does the Communion of Saints mean?

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches:

"The intercession of the saints. "Being more closely united to Christ, those who dwell in heaven fix the whole Church more firmly in holiness. . . . They do not cease to intercede with the Father for us, as they proffer the merits which they acquired on earth through the one mediator between God and men, Christ Jesus . . . . So by their fraternal concern is our weakness greatly helped."⁴⁹⁵

Do not weep, for I shall be more useful to you after my death and I shall help you then more effectively than during my life.⁴⁹⁶I want to spend my heaven in doing good on earth.^{497"  (Catechism of the Catholic Church #956)}

The Church is one, holy, catholic and apostolic. The one Church is in constant fellowship with the Church triumphant, Church militant and Church suffering. 

   

Vigil Mass at St Albert Church

Marian Shrine at Holy Rosary Church Rosenberg

Shrine of Mary at Holy Rosary Church Rosenberg

Part of the Marian shrine at Holy Rosary Church Rosenberg, Texas

Inside Holy Rosary Church